U.S. News lists Centre among nation’s top colleges and universities

Centre College has again been recognized as one of the top liberal arts and sciences institutions in the nation, achieving notable rankings across multiple collegiate guides and publications.

“These rankings are a testament to our dedicated faculty, staff and students, whose commitment to academic excellence, innovation and accessibility continues to elevate Centre College as a leader in liberal arts and sciences education,” President Milton C. Moreland said.

The U.S. News 2025 Best Colleges listing touted Centre as the #19 Best Value in the country in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, affirming the College’s dedication to providing a high-quality education at an affordable price. Centre’s focus on financial aid and outcomes ensures that students receive exceptional return on their investment.

Additionally, Centre’s study abroad ranking improved to #22 nationwide — reflecting the College’s enriching global experiences. Study abroad continues to foster opportunities for students to broaden academic and cultural horizons through international study — an opportunity approximately 85% of students engage in during their time at Centre.

In recognition of its dedication to innovative and impactful education, Centre was ranked #42 for Undergraduate Teaching and #38 for Most Innovative Schools among National Liberal Arts Colleges. These rankings underscore the college’s forward-thinking approach to pedagogy, along with its commitment to enhancing the student experience through creative academic offerings.

Centre’s commitment to supporting students from their very first year was also recognized, with the College earning the #50 spot in the First-Year Experiences category. This reflects Centre's strong emphasis on helping students transition into college life through mentorship, academic support and immersive experiences designed to set them up for success from day one. All Centre first-year students enroll in a Finding Your Centre (FYC) course, providing students with information and peer mentors to aid the college experience.

Overall, Centre was distinguished among the top liberal arts colleges nationwide, recognized at #59 — a top-tier national standing that reaffirms its commitment to strong faculty-student engagement and a transformative liberal arts education.

College Raptor “Hidden Gem”

Adding to this national recognition, leading college planning platform College Raptor recently named Centre a “Hidden Gem” among America’s top colleges and universities, based on a combination of metrics like retention and graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio, endowment per student and selectivity. Centre was also recognized by College Raptor as one of the top 25 schools in the Southeast and Division III athletics.